Robotics Curriculum & Courses

Applied AI and Robotics with NVIDIA Jetson Nano provides a hands-on, project-based introduction to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, machine learning, perception, and autonomy within real-world contexts. 

This course leverages a scaffolded series of interactive labs and the NVIDIA Jetson Nano on the JetBot platform to cover core AI and ML techniques – Classification, Regression, Transfer Learning, and Reinforcement Learning – applied to robotic tasks like Collision Avoidance, Path Following, and Autonomous Racing. Learners gain a generalizable understanding of how AI enables robots to perceive and autonomously interact with their environment. 

Coding and Computational Thinking with LEGO SPIKE Prime (3.0) provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the LEGO SPIKE Prime hardware and the 3.0 version of the Scratch-based programming software.

Fundamentals of Coding with SPIKE Essential teaches coding and STEM concepts to elementary school students using the LEGO SPIKE Essential kit. The curriculum will cover topics such as basic coding, creating algorithms, conditional statements, and loops. Students assemble robot designs with the SPIKE Essential kit based on real-world robots, which helps to foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how coding and robotics are used in the real world. Fundamentals of Coding with SPIKE Essential is designed to develop a foundation in coding that will prepare students for more advanced programming concepts in the future.

Coding and Computational Thinking with VEX IQ (2nd Generation) provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the VEX IQ 2nd Generation hardware and VEXcode programming software.

This curriculum provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help learners foster Computational Thinking using the VEX V5 hardware and VEXcode programming software.

Autonomy Foundations equips learners with a practical understanding of how artificial intelligence shapes robotic perception and autonomy. Using the NVIDIA Jetson Nano and JetBot platform, this course offers a hands-on approach to core, real-world robotic capabilities, including Networking, Collision Avoidance, Path Following, AprilTag Navigation, and SLAM. Autonomy Foundations provides a comprehensive foundation for operating and maintaining intelligent robotic systems.

Mechanical Foundations provides participants with knowledge and hands-on experiences with a variety of tools and hardware components. By understanding the foundational mechanical principles that underpin robotics, participants develop the ability to design, construct, and maintain these systems with increased confidence and efficacy. The course covers topics such as structure, power transmission, motion, and mechanisms using hands-on activities with REV DUO kits. This version of the course features the REV Control Hub for system control. 

As part of the SMART Robotics Technician Program, Mechanical Foundations is aligned to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that robotics technicians need to be successful. The SMART Robotics Technician Program is endorsed by the ARM Institute. 

Mechanical Foundations provides participants with knowledge and hands-on experiences with a variety of tools and hardware components. By understanding the foundational mechanical principles that underpin robotics, participants develop the ability to design, construct, and maintain these systems with increased confidence and efficacy. The course covers topics such as structure, power transmission, motion, and mechanisms using hands-on activities with REV DUO kits. This version of the course features an Arduino-powered control system in place of the REV Control Hub.

As part of the SMART Robotics Technician Program, Mechanical Foundations is aligned to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that robotics technicians need to be successful. The SMART Robotics Technician Program is endorsed by the ARM Institute.

 Mechanical Foundations provides participants with knowledge and hands-on experiences with a variety of tools and hardware components. By understanding the foundational mechanical principles that underpin robotics, participants develop the ability to design, construct, and maintain these systems with increased confidence and efficacy. The course covers topics such as structure, power transmission, motion, and mechanisms using hands-on activities with VEX V5 kits.

As part of the SMART Robotics Technician Program, Mechanical Foundations is aligned to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that robotics technicians need to be successful. The SMART Robotics Technician Program is endorsed by the ARM Institute. 

Software Foundations is an introduction to core robot control concepts with a focus on navigation, sensing, and machine vision. Participants learn to adapt and validate code through an iterative software engineering process. Using the ShieldBot and HuskyLens AI camera, they iterate on increasingly complex control algorithms that incorporate loops, conditionals, and AI-driven perception to solve real-world challenges.

Software Foundations is an introduction to programming concepts. Students who complete this curriculum demonstrate an understanding of the software engineering process through repeated planning, testing, and iteration throughout the units. Students also learn basic robot movement, how to use feedback from different kinds of sensors, and how to create complex programs using loops and decision-making logic.

Robotics Integration introduces students to situations where technicians receive multiple components of a robotics system that require assembly, installation, and debugging. Students learn how to integrate components such as a vision sensor (camera) system, breadboard, servo motors, and embedded microprocessor from multiple hardware vendors. The learner will "unpack and test" components and refine “robot navigation programming" through this curriculum.

Electrical Foundations focuses on the foundational concepts around basic electricity and how circuits work. In this course, students learn how to use multimeters to measure various parts of a circuit. Students learn how to control signals using a microcontroller, how to utilize binary sensors like Limit Switches, and analog sensors like an Ultrasonic Sensor. The culminating project is an e-panel consisting of all of the components found in a typical robotic system.

Fabrication Foundations introduces students to hand tools to cut, drill, and file down multiple materials to create a robot chassis and motor mount. Students also learn how to use additive manufacturing (3D printing) to create a sensor mount. The skills taught include safety, basic measurement, reading and interpreting drawings, basic hand tool use, and handling materials.

Introduction to Programming provides a structured sequence of programming activities in real-world project-based contexts. The projects are designed to get students thinking about the patterns and structure of not just robotics, but also programming and problem-solving more generally. This curriculum includes videos, animations, and step-by-step lessons designed to help beginners learn behavior-based programming using the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 hardware and EV3 Classroom scratch-based programming software.